Chapter 315: Chapter 315: Thinking So Much I Can’t Eat, Growing Thinner by the Day
Marquis Yangling Mansion.
Qiao Si helped Cui Xuan out of the main courtyard, and the atmosphere between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was just perfect. They had never once had a quarrel.
Passing by the rockery, ahead was the garden, Cui Xuan asked in a soft voice, "The day after tomorrow is your father’s birthday, he only has you for a daughter, have you thought about how to celebrate it for him?"
It wasn’t surprising she asked this.
Indeed, on every birthday, Mr. Qiao never made a big fuss.
The Qiao family was just an ordinary family. According to the customs of Da Qi, ordinary people would only have a family meal together unless it was the sixtieth birthday celebration.
Mr. Qiao was the same. Afterwards, he would also take his golden ball granddaughter to his late wife’s grave to offer incense.
The Cui family didn’t have many relatives. Mr. Qiao never boasted about his daughter marrying into an illustrious residence; before Qiao Si’s wedding, Mr. Qiao had never asked for anything. Even the silver he saved up over a lifetime and never wanted to spend was given to Qiao Si as her dowry.
He said.
—"Don’t laugh at me, although the Qiao family is poor, Ah Si is still a treasure in the palm of my hand. I fear hardship for her, yet I also fear she can’t endure hardship."
—"I’m a simple man and don’t understand the teachings of saints. To be honest, before Ah Si’s mother passed away, she entrusted me to find her daughter a family of equal standing. She said a girl should not marry too high up, as if her husband grows tired of looking down on her family, with the Qiao family’s history of living off hunting, how could we have the power to decide for her? And to marry below is even less desirable, for only our family cherishes our girl dearly, why would she marry into another to experience hardships worse than at her own home?"
—"Her mother only closed her eyes after I repeatedly assured her, the son-in-law comes from a good background, is well-educated, and is a military general who is good in every aspect. The Qiao family originally shouldn’t have aimed so high. But I knew the son-in-law was upright, and if he wished to marry, he would be a good husband, and Ah Si herself was also willing. I was extremely anxious about this marriage, but I really didn’t have the heart to split them apart. All I could ask was for your family to treat her kindly."
Talking about her father, Qiao Si couldn’t help but cover her lips and chuckle lightly.
"It will be as usual. Once Rong gets back, I’ll take her to visit him."
Cui Xuan was not surprised upon hearing this.
She was still dressed as usual, simple yet not lacking in elegance.
"Of course, that’s how it should be."
"Speaking of that little tyrant Rong, when she’s around, she’s really noisy; these few days without her, I actually miss her terribly."
Qiao Si said warmly, "This time she comes back, she’s probably going to give mother-in-law a headache."
In Cui Xuan’s eyes flashed a look of affection, "She’s my darling, even if she pierced the sky, I would still need to find a way to mend it for her."
While saying this, her brows lightly furrowed.
"Calculating the time, she should have returned last night, I wonder for what reason. To this day, there’s still no movement."
As she was talking about this, they heard an old woman from the gatehouse running over with a beaming smile.
"Madam, Young Madam, they’re here, they’re here, our Marquis has returned."
"Let’s go, let’s have a look, and welcome my dear granddaughter."
The long convoy had entered Shengjing City only to disperse and return to their respective homes.
Just then, Ji Qing was riding a horse, and soon, a carriage caught up. When Ji Qing sped up, the carriage did likewise; when Ji Qing slowed down, the carriage followed suit.
Ji Qing couldn’t help but be cautious, but then, noticing the carriage was ordinary and unremarkable, just like any you would see on the streets.
"My lord—"
He had just begun to speak and was about to report when he saw the person in the carriage slightly lift the corner of the curtain, revealing only a small part of the lower jaw.
"Marquis Cui."
It was Ji Teng who had changed carriages upon entering Shengjing.
Cui Yun recognized his voice.
The man with lowered eyelids continued peeling a walnut without pause, "What advice does Third Young Master have for me?"
The person on the other side laughed, not bothering to pretend.
"Talking of advice is too much, it’s nothing more than taking the time to bid you farewell."
Cui Yun’s eyes flashed with sarcasm, but his expression remained indifferent, "Third Young Master is considerate."
"As I should be, you and I may have quite a few dealings in the future, we cannot forget the proper etiquette."
Ji Teng then said, "I heard your grandfather loves chess, I’ve just acquired a rare chess book, and I wonder if I might gain his favor? Would you be willing to help pass it on as a gesture of respect from the younger generation? If you are unwilling, I also look forward to visiting in person."
Cui Yun’s expression turned stern.
Luckily, Ji Teng left after giving the chess book and didn’t linger too long.
Cui Yun flipped through it and found no hidden messages. Old Master Cui would certainly like it.
But... what is Ji Teng’s purpose?
Cui Yun certainly doesn’t believe it’s to sincerely recruit him.
The carriage soon came to a steady stop in front of Marquis Yangling Mansion.
Only then did Cui Yun turn to look at Shen Hua, who was sound asleep. He had peeled a bunch of walnuts along the way and put them into a delicate little pouch, which he then tied around the girl’s waist.
His gaze softened involuntarily.
She looked peaceful in her sleep, not fussy or noisy.
"Shen Hua, wake up."
"Hmm, have we arrived?"
Shen Hua squinted her eyes and asked sleepily.
"Mm-hmm."
Shen Hua paused for a moment, becoming much more awake. She looked up at Cui Yun with her nose in the air: "Then why aren’t you helping me up?"
"Don’t blame me for being dissatisfied later."
Cui Yun: ...
No sooner had Cui Xuan left the residence than she waited for Cui Rong to stick out her little poky head from inside. Clear-jointed hands flipped the curtain, and Cui Yun stepped down in a leisurely manner, followed soon by Shen Hua.
Qiao Si sized up Shen Hua from head to toe; the girl was wearing a cyan trailing dress made of smooth Luo fabric with a moon-white collared patchwork top. As they got closer to Shengjing City and the weather warmed up, she had a soft fur brocade cloak over her. Dressed like this, she looked as a fresh lotus with a jade-smooth face exuding fragrance.
Standing next to Cui Yun made her even more pleasing to the eyes. Just... she looked like a newly returned jade match.
Qiao Si couldn’t help but smile lightly: "Your complexion looks better and better, it seems your Second Uncle has taken very good care of you these past days."
Shen Hua stepped forward to pay her respects and greeted everyone.
Cui Yun also respectfully said, "Mama, sister-in-law."
"Where is Rong?"
Shen Hua raised her hand: "Just behind us."
Following the direction of her finger, they saw the carriage from Duke Fu’s Mansion approaching from afar.
Xie Xun had first taken Xie Yinong back before coming over, thus arriving a step after Cui Yun.
When the carriage stopped, Cui Rong ran over, trying hard to keep up with her little short legs, shouting loudly, "Grandmother, Mama!"
As she got close, her fluffy head kept rubbing against Qiao Si.
"I’ve missed you so much."
"Missed us so much you wouldn’t eat and have grown thinner each day?"
Xie Xun: ...
Missed?
He couldn’t tell.
Couldn’t eat?
On this trip, it was this little baby who enjoyed the food the most, and she was quite a handful for him.
Putting aside his prejudices for certain individuals, Xie Xun was grateful to the other members of the Cui family and he made his obeisance to Cui Xuan.
Cui Xuan saw how courteous and proper he was and hurriedly chastised Cui Rong with a glare: "Why didn’t you ride in your own carriage and give Heir Xie trouble instead?"
While speaking, she said to Xie Xun: "Good child, don’t worry about the journey. It must have been rough on you, come inside for some tea."
Xie Xun naturally agreed, as he still had to meet Ni Kang.
Meanwhile, Qiao Si bent over and struggled to lift the little one into her arms.
"Thin? But Mama can hardly lift you now."
Cui Rong: ???
Shen Hua, who found the whole scene amusing, laughed: "Ha."
She comforted Cui Rong, who had a long face: "It’s okay, we can still see your neck."